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For a full listing of all the excellent trails located in the area, download the Breckenridge Summer Trail Maps. A hard-copy of the map is available at the Breckenridge Welcome Center (203 S. Main St.) or at local retailers. Proceeds from the sale of the printed trail map go directly to trail building and open space maintenance efforts.

Difficult Hiking Trails in Breckenridge:

Quandary Peak

Mountain goats are a common sighting on the Quandary Peak ascent.

One of Colorado’s 53 “Fourteeners” (peaks with an elevation above 14,000 feet), Quandary Peak is the crown jewel of hiking around Breckenridge. In addition to the cache of bagging the area’s tallest peak, Quandary offers incredible views and while the elevation and high-alpine exposure make this a challenging hike, the relatively relaxed approach to the summit make this one of the more attainable 14ers.

Locals’ Tips: Because of the popularity of the hike, consider attempting Quandary during an off-season and/or an off-day and -time. July and August are the busiest months for hiking so consider June after melt-out or September and October when fall colors come out but crowds die back. If you go in peak season, leave as early as possible not only to beat crowds but to avoid potentially dangerous afternoon storms. Limited trailhead parking is an ongoing issue, so consider carpooling from town with friends, arriving early or even taking an Uber from the free parking at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena.

Distance: 6 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 3,305 feet

Directions: From the intersection of Main Street and Ski Hill Road/Lincoln Avenue drive south on Highway 9 approximately 8 miles to Blue Lakes Road (No. 850). Turn right and park at the large parking area on the right. Walk on County Road 851 for .1 miles to the marked trailhead.

Wheeler National Recreation Trail

A long and occasionally steep trail that travels diagonally across several peaks from one side of the iconic Ten Mile Range to the other, rewarding you with great views in all directions. Your elevation tops out at 12,600 feet in alpine tundra above Breckenridge Ski Resort and cuts through pine forests on either end.

Burgundy Women's In Glitter Valentino Sneakers Sneakers Locals’ Tips: You’ll spend a lot of time above treeline in alpine terrain in the middle of this hike, so plan on departing early and watching the weather. Lightning is a serious danger and afternoon storms are regular in summer months. Consider starting the hike in Copper and finishing in Breckenridge. After this epic of a journey, you’ll want some food and refreshments and Copper can be a bit of a ghost town in summer, while Breckenridge is open and bustling with options.

Sneakers In Glitter Burgundy Women's Sneakers Valentino Distance:9 miles one way

Directions: Two cars are required for this hike. Leave one car at the Breckenridge/Blue River end of the trail. Then from Breckenridge, drive north to Frisco and take the westbound entrance onto Interstate 70. Follow I-70 for 7 miles to Copper Mountain, exit 195. Cross the bridge over the highway and immediately turn left into the Vail Pass/Ten Mile Canyon bikeway parking area, leaving one car. Drive the second car to the trailhead: from the intersection of Main Street and Ski Hill Road/Lincoln Avenue drive south on Highway 9 approximately 8 miles to Blue Lakes Road (No. 850). Turn right and then turn right onto County road 851. Drive on County Road 851 for 2 miles. The trail intersects the road just right of a sharp left turn in the road.

Peak 8 Summit

The ascent up Peak 8 in the summertime is gorgeous.

A short, steep 1-mile climb convenient if you’re staying in town or near the ski area, especially if you don’t have a car. You technically canBlack Club C 85 Reebok Diamond gum xqdwI7WBW0 hike Peak 8 from town if you’re feeling really ambitious, but it’s an all-day affair and not worth the effort. You’ll earn big views of town and the Blue River valley if you first take the Gondola from town to the Peak 8 base area and then ride a chairlift to the top. From there your legs help you gain almost 2,000 feet of vertical in a short amount of time. A great option if you want to get above it all, but don’t have the time or lungs to ascend all the way from valley floor to ridgetop.

Locals’ Tips: Combine this hike with some activities through Epic Discovery. From ziplines to bungee trampolines, there is plenty to do and the Adventure Pass will include the chairlift ride you’ll need in addition to activities.

Distance: 2 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 2,000 Feet

Directions: Walk to or park near the Breckenridge Transfer Station (170 Watson Ave, Breckenridge, CO 80424) where the free gondola will be obvious. Take the 10-minute gondola ride to the Peak 8 base. There you can get a lift ticket to ride the chairlift to the top. From the top of the chair, a road and unofficial trails lead along the looker’s left side of Horseshoe Bowl towards the top of Imperial Chair (not running in summer) and ultimately to the top of Peak 8 at nearly 13,000 feet (12,976). Follow a similar route back down to the chairlift.

Peaks Trail

Peaks Trail provides beautiful views of Summit County throughout the hike.

A great trail for a hot day thanks to many shaded sections in pine forests and high elevation, but still not for the faint of heart due to the long distance and sustained elevation. The trail pops you out of the woods in several picturesque alpine zones in a roadless area that only ambitious hikers such as yourselves will see. Keep an eye out for herds of elk and deer that are escaping the heat same as you.

Locals’ Tips: Catch this trail from Peak 7 in Breck so your hike is mostly downhill, then grab the Summit Stage bus back from Frisco. Start early in the morning on a weekday to feel like you have the Ten Mile Range to yourself. Weekends bring more mountain bikers you’ll have to dodge.

Distance: 8.5 miles one way

Elevation Gain: 450 feet; 850 foot loss.

Directions: Take advantage of the Summit Stage Transit to loop back to Breckenridge or leave a second car at the end of the trail in Frisco. If using two cars, leave one car at the trail’s end at the end of 2nd Ave. in Frisco. Drive the second car to the trailhead in Breckenridge: from the intersection of Main Street and Ski Hill Road/Lincoln Avenue drive west on Ski Hill Road for 2.3 miles to the signed trailhead on the left, just past the ski resort’s Peak 7 base area.